Acme bus drivers seek storm pay

Saturday

Nov 10, 2012 at 2:00 AM

MIDDLETOWN - Bus drivers and monitors at Acme Bus Corp. are again considering joining a union after losing pay because of Hurricane Sandy. Amanda Diaz, a bus monitor, said workers are generally supposed to be paid even when school is canceled because of inclement weather. But, many Acme bus workers at the Middletown location were not paid Friday for the week of Hurricane Sandy, Diaz said. She and about 50 other Acme workers demonstrated Friday afternoon outside their employer's Fulton Street depot.

Jessica DiNapoli

MIDDLETOWN — Bus drivers and monitors at Acme Bus Corp. are again considering joining a union after losing pay because of Hurricane Sandy.

Amanda Diaz, a bus monitor, said workers are generally supposed to be paid even when school is canceled because of inclement weather. But, many Acme bus workers at the Middletown location were not paid Friday for the week of Hurricane Sandy, Diaz said.

She and about 50 other Acme workers demonstrated Friday afternoon outside their employer's Fulton Street depot.

The income shortage is a major issue for Diaz, a single-income parent. She won't have the cash to pay Orange and Rockland Utilities, and fears her power will be shut off.

Jim Poisella Jr., Acme's director of human resources, said the company may reconsider the decision after reviewing payroll next week.

Acme distributed a letter to its employees Friday morning stating that it would not pay wages for last week because workers had advance notice of school closings.

Employees can use sick or vacation days, according to the letter, which also suggests workers try to file for unemployment benefits.

"Although we are unsure if this will be granted, it is worth a try," according to the letter.

Acme buses provide transportation for students with disabilities, Diaz said.

Jack Sullivan, a business agent and organizer for Teamsters Local 445, passed out authorization cards to the demonstrating workers. If 30 percent of Acme's workers sign and date the cards, the process of forming a union can begin, according to the cards.

Workers at Acme have tried to unionize before.

Two years ago, a National Labor Relations Board judge ruled that Acme Bus practiced union-busting techniques and wrongly fired six employees for pro-union activities.

Acme had to offer reinstatement to the workers and provide back pay, as well as change policies that violate labor laws.

Some demonstrating employees were unsure whether or not they wanted to join a union this time around.

"I don't make enough here to give a portion to someone else," said Acme employee Monique Beckett of Middletown. She said she'll research the pros and cons.